David Warner is confident to play the 1st Test: Steve Smith

Australian skipper Steve Smith said that opener David Warner is recovering from the neck injury, and he will be fit to take part in the 1st Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, 23rd November onwards. The southpaw hurt his neck while taking a catch at training this week. All-rounder Glenn Maxwell was called up as a cover for Warner, and at one point it looked like that Maxwell is set for an Ashes debut after being axed a few weeks ago.

Former cricketer Merv Hughes had earlier backed Warner and said that he should back up his pre-series jibes by taking on the old enemy like a ‘Pitbull in the junkyard’. it seems like Maxwell is very much in the scheme of things going forward and that he might get a look-in as the series progresses.

“He’s very confident and he says he’ll be right to go,” Smith told reporters ahead of Thursday’s Ashes opener at the Gabba.

Injuries are part and parcel of the game: Smith

“He’ll be OK. It’s part and parcel of playing cricket. Guys have injuries every now and then and have little niggles. He’s improved a fair bit over the last 24 hours and hopefully he can keep improving and be 100% at match time.” the skipper added.

On a lighter note, Smith said that Warner is even willing to go out at Gabba and bat like the former West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who had an unorthodox stance.“He said he’ll even bat like (West Indian) Shivnarine Chanderpaul (side-on batting stance), if he has to.”

Smith said selectors had been discussing a replacement option to be on standby, but he was confident the player would not be required. “There’s a good chance someone will be in as cover but I’m not sure who at this stage… they’re thinking about it at the moment,” he said.